Developing and Introducing Communication Books

Updated October 2000

Introduction
Many people with communication impairments can benefit from low-tech paper based communication systems. These can range from a few pictures on a chart, to many symbols in a communication book. These systems can be used alongside 'high tech' voice output communication systems and can be used in situations when a 'high tech' aid would be at risk, such as when having a bath or when their use is impractical.

Suggestions for Communication Books

Business card folders - These can take the form of plastic pages, which can be put into ringbinders. The pages have pockets, which can be used to hold pictures and symbols. As ring binders are used, it is easy to alter the layout of the book and insert new pages where appropriate. Business card folders can be bought from business/office supply companies. However, the pages of some business card folders, are fixed making it impossible to insert new pages where appropriate. Filofax - These folders may be more acceptable to people who like the idea of carrying a personal organiser. Plastic credit card holders can be bought for organisers and are ideal for holding pictures or symbols. However, these are expensive. Alternatively many people attach the symbols to ordinary pages of a filofax system. Coloured dividers can be used to separate different sections of the book. Ringbinder folders - These folders come in a variety of sizes e.g. A4, A5. For each size plastic wallets are available. These are ideal, as they are easy to clean and are waterproof. As each page is loose-leaf, it is easy to alter the layout of the book and insert new pages where appropriate. Stiff paper/card can be inserted into the plastic wallets, making it easier for a person with physical impairments to turn the pages. Adding category tabs to the edges of the pages can help the individual identify categories and locate individual pages. Photograph Albums - These can be used for basic communication books, but they tend to be fixed in the number of pages making them less flexible when developing a communication book over time.

Resource Preparation
It can be useful for a school, centre or department to stock suitable resources such as ring binder folders, plastic wallets and the picture/symbol material. This will allow staff to create books more easily with the user and to keep them updated to suit individual needs. Many symbol systems are now available in electronic form allowing communication books to be created using a computer. This saves time and produces a more professional looking communication book.

ACE Centre North Broadbent Road. Watersheddings, Oldham, 0L1 4HU. Tel: 0161 627 1358, Fax: 0161 627 0363. E-mail: acenorth@ace-north.org.uk Web: www.ace-north.org.uk If you reproduce this document, please include an acknowledgement to The ACE Centre - North. Thank-you.

Developing and Introducing Communication Books

Updated October 2000

Developing a Communication Book

Symbols and/or Pictures - At the earliest level, photographs of real objects, familiar people and real labels are useful. The user then, if appropriate should move onto symbols as each symbol can relate to a more general situation. There is a range of communication symbol systems available including Rebus, Makaton, Picture Communication Systems (PCS), Blissymbols Introducing Symbols and Pictures - When introducing new symbols and pictures into someones communication book it is important to be sure that the user understands the meaning of the symbols or pictures, and can relate these to real objects and more general situations. They also should be able to relate a specific symbol to a more general meaning. For example, the symbol for 'cup' could also mean, "I want a drink". Symbols should be introduced in a fun and motivating manner for example in a game of pelmanism. However, all symbols should be introduced in context and be used in the user's everyday environment. Organisation of the Book - A book divided into categories with an index page at the front makes finding individual symbols much easier. New categories could be added gradually to the book and new symbols added to individual categories as the need arises. A combination of pictures, symbols and words can be used. A word should be used along with the symbol or picture at all times. This word should be placed above the symbol so that it can still be seen when someone is pointing to the symbol. There are a number of phrases, which may be necessary for a non-speaking user when talking to someone. These can be referred to as core vocabulary and would include phrases such as "I'll start again", "You've misunderstood me", "Sounds like". In the organisation of a communication book, both groups of vocabulary should be available to the user at all times. This would be possible if it was placed on a separate page attached to the inside cover of the front of the book. The core vocabulary could then be flipped out whilst being able to see the rest of the book. Alternatively, the core vocabulary and whole phrases could be placed in the same location on each double page spread.

core vocab

ACE Centre North Broadbent Road. Watersheddings, Oldham, 0L1 4HU. Tel: 0161 627 1358, Fax: 0161 627 0363. E-mail: acenorth@ace-north.org.uk Web: www.ace-north.org.uk If you reproduce this document, please include an acknowledgement to The ACE Centre - North. Thank-you.

Developing and Introducing Communication Books

Updated October 2000

Accessing
Users of communication books may be able to point to individual symbols accurately. However, it is important to consider the layout of the book e.g. number of symbols per page to ensure the users access is effective. If an individual is unable to point to individual symbols, it does not preclude the use of a communication book. An alternative method of access could be for the listener to point to the symbols and the user to make a selection using their "yes/no" responses. In this situation, the listener points to each category on the index page in turn, the user indicates the category required with a "yes". The listener can then point to each page in that category until the user confirms with a "yes". The listener then points to each column awaiting the user's "yes" and then each symbol in that column, until the user confirms with a "yes" the desired symbol. This method of selection is known as "listener mediated scanning". For an individual with visual impairment, the use of 'listener mediated scanning' is a method of accessing a formal system of communication. The listener would read out the 'category' names awaiting the user's "yes" and then would read out the sub-categories within that category and then the items within the subcategory, the user has chosen, until the user gives a "yes" for the desired word/message. Listener mediated scanning is slow and laborious and shifts the responsibility from speaker to listener. For an individual with the necessary cognitive abilities, visual skills and physical ability it may be more appropriate to consider the use of encoding.

Encoding
This allows a significant number of messages to be accessed from one page by a double selection despite close proximity of the vocabulary. One example of encoding involves symbols placed in blocks containing four colours each of which responds to a colour block placed around the edge of the page (see diagram below). The user can then indicate a choice by pointing to the block first and, once confirmed by the partner, pointing to the colour required which will indicate which symbol is required from the chosen block. This method can also be employed by individuals with good eye pointing skills.

colour coding

Similar encoding methods can be designed using letters or numbers as the indicators.
ACE Centre North Broadbent Road. Watersheddings, Oldham, 0L1 4HU. Tel: 0161 627 1358, Fax: 0161 627 0363. E-mail: acenorth@ace-north.org.uk Web: www.ace-north.org.uk If you reproduce this document, please include an acknowledgement to The ACE Centre - North. Thank-you.

Developing and Introducing Communication Books

Updated October 2000

Using the Book

When using a book, or board successful communication can depend upon the user and listener being in a suitable position to understand one another. Both listener and user should be able to see the book clearly. The book should always be used alongside other methods of communication. To help consolidate the use of a communication book, it may be necessary to create situations for its use. It could, for example, be used to convey messages between school and home in place of the usual home/school diary. Whenever possible, the user should be helped to feel that he/she is giving real information and is able to use this communication system to influence their life.

Useful References
Introducing and Developing Choices (1998), The ACE Centre North Introduction to Picture Sets and Symbol Systems (1994), ACE Centre, Oxford. More than just words (1992), ACE Centre, Oxford Symbols in Practice (1995), BECTA Low Tech Communication - Resource List (1998), The ACE Centre North Symbol Software (1993) Sally Millar & Janet Larcher; CALL Centre, ISBN 1 898042 12 8 Communication without Speech (1998) Anne Warrick ISAAC ISBN No 0 9684186 0 0 (available from Communication Matters) The Chailey Communication System (1995) Valerie Moffatt: CAC

ACE Centre North Broadbent Road. Watersheddings, Oldham, 0L1 4HU. Tel: 0161 627 1358, Fax: 0161 627 0363. E-mail: acenorth@ace-north.org.uk Web: www.ace-north.org.uk If you reproduce this document, please include an acknowledgement to The ACE Centre - North. Thank-you.

Developing and Introducing Communication Books

Updated October 2000

Useful Addresses ACE Centre Advisory Trust 92 Windmill Road Headington Oxford OX3 7DR Tel: 01865 763508 The CALL Centre Faculty of Education The University of Edinburgh Patersons Land Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AQ Tel: 0131 651 6235 CAC (Cambridge Adaptive Communication) The Mount Toft Cambridge CB3 7RL Tel: 01223 264244 BECTa Milburn Hill Road Science Park Coventry CV4 7JJ Tel: 01203 416669 Communication Matters (CM) c/o ACE Centre Advisory Trust (please see address above) for CM enquiries please ring: 0870 606 5463

ACE Centre North Broadbent Road. Watersheddings, Oldham, 0L1 4HU. Tel: 0161 627 1358, Fax: 0161 627 0363. E-mail: acenorth@ace-north.org.uk Web: www.ace-north.org.uk If you reproduce this document, please include an acknowledgement to The ACE Centre - North. Thank-you.